Polaris Financial Partners Purchases New Holdings in Walmart Inc. $WMT

Polaris Financial Partners acquired a new stake in Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 17,457 shares of the retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $1,842,000. Walmart accounts for 0.9% of Polaris Financial Partners’ portfolio, making the stock its 22nd biggest holding.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of WMT. Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new stake in Walmart in the 2nd quarter worth $7,455,131,000. Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new position in shares of Walmart during the second quarter valued at about $2,905,655,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new stake in shares of Walmart in the second quarter valued at about $796,677,000. Deutsche Bank AG grew its position in Walmart by 54.0% during the second quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 18,607,297 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $2,107,462,000 after buying an additional 6,525,224 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amundi increased its stake in Walmart by 44.4% during the second quarter. Amundi now owns 20,796,957 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $2,355,463,000 after acquiring an additional 6,393,326 shares during the period. 26.76% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Walmart Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ WMT remained flat at $104.26 during midday trading on Friday. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 23,041,613 shares, compared to its average volume of 25,362,855. Walmart Inc. has a 12 month low of $98.88 and a 12 month high of $135.15. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $108.91 and its 200-day moving average price is $117.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $827.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.64, a PEG ratio of 3.97 and a beta of 0.58.

Walmart (NASDAQ:WMT) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 20th. The retailer reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $187.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $186.64 billion. Walmart had a net margin of 3.00% and a return on equity of 21.83%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.68 EPS. Walmart has set its Q3 2027 guidance at 0.620-0.640 EPS and its FY 2027 guidance at 2.800-2.870 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 2.87 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have commented on WMT shares. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Walmart from $140.00 to $120.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 21st. BMO Capital Markets restated an “outperform” rating and set a $126.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a research report on Friday, August 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Walmart from $137.00 to $125.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 21st. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Walmart from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Friday, July 31st. Finally, Truist Financial set a $114.00 price objective on shares of Walmart and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, August 21st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-two have assigned a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $131.74.

Key Stories Impacting Walmart

Here are the key news stories impacting Walmart this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Walmart committed more than $300 million to an Ohio fulfillment center focused on oversized goods. The investment should expand fulfillment capacity and support e-commerce growth, though it also increases near-term capital spending. Walmart Commits Over $300 Million to Ohio Fulfillment Center
• Positive Sentiment: Walmart is expanding digital shelf labels with customer “light-up” item locating, associate tools for online-order fulfillment and inventory management. The technology could improve shopping convenience, labor productivity and omnichannel execution. Walmart Digital Shelf Label Tools
• Positive Sentiment: Tariff refunds are expected to provide Walmart with some margin relief, giving the retailer more flexibility to invest in lower prices, promotions and customer experience. Retailers Gain From Tariff Refunds
• Positive Sentiment: Walmart continues opening stores, including a new Neighborhood Market in Florida. One analysis argues the expansion and product initiatives could leave the stock undervalued, with a cited price target of $127. Walmart Could Be Undervalued After Florida Store Opening
• Neutral Sentiment: Walmart is participating in Meta’s AI shopping initiatives, while retailers are developing policies for emerging shopping agents. The opportunity could increase online traffic, but the effect on sales, customer data and margins remains uncertain. Meta’s Muse and E-commerce
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst downgrades, including a reduction in expectations from Mizuho, have pressured investor sentiment and reinforced concerns that Walmart’s premium valuation leaves limited room for disappointment. Mizuho Lowers Walmart Expectations
• Negative Sentiment: A value investor claimed Walmart may be worth about $50 per share, highlighting the risk that the stock’s high earnings multiple does not adequately reflect its modest net margin and slower potential returns. Value Investor Warns Walmart Is Worth About $50
• Negative Sentiment: Target’s aggressive holiday price cuts on roughly 2,000 products could intensify promotional competition and pressure Walmart’s margins during an important shopping season. Target’s Holiday Price Cuts

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Christopher Nicholas sold 2,900 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.65, for a total transaction of $309,285.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 566,253 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $60,390,882.45. This trade represents a 0.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Daniel Danker sold 50,644 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.35, for a total transaction of $5,335,345.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 201,672 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $21,246,145.20. This trade represents a 20.07% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Insiders sold a total of 81,219 shares of company stock valued at $8,604,429 over the last three months. 0.09% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Walmart Company Profile

Walmart Inc (NASDAQ: WMT) is a multinational retailer that operates supercenters, discount stores, neighborhood markets, warehouse clubs and e-commerce platforms. Its merchandise includes groceries, apparel, electronics, home goods, health and wellness products, household essentials and general merchandise. Walmart also provides services such as grocery pickup and delivery, pharmacy services, financial products and digital advertising.

The company serves customers through its Walmart U.S., Walmart International and Sam’s Club segments.